Wigan – A Historic Town With Modern Class

With its rich heritage and lovely landscape, Wigan captures the imagination of locals and visitors alike. A town in the Greater Manchester in England, Wigan has a total population of 81, 203 people and is situated on the banks of the River Douglas.

There are many things to see and do in Wigan. The most noteworthy being the Wigan Pier. Made famous by the author George Orwell in his book, The Road to Wigan Pier, this local attraction along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal draws many tourists.

The church in Wigan’s town center is a stunning example of the town’s ancient roots. The church has been restored twice once in the 1630′s and again in 1847. Trencherfield Mill is another popular destination site showcasing the town’s long lasting relationship with the cotton industry.

Wigan was at one time considered to be a dominating force in the cotton industry and remained viable in the field until the twentieth century with the last working cotton mill closing in the 1980.

Music plays a large role in Wigan’s culture. Many established artists came from the town including, The Verve, The Ting Tings and the Witness. Wigan even found international fame when Billboard, an American music magazine named Wigan Casino ‘the best disco in the world.’ Sadly the venue was destroyed by fire and was never rebuilt.

Today Wigan remains a hot spot for musicians and other aspiring artists. There are numerous pubs and clubs in town that service wannabe musicians. The annual Haigh Hall Music Festival attracts 7000 people annually and is just one of the venues Wigan offers its artists.

And if music and historic culture isn’t of particular interest, Wigan also hosts the World Pie Eating Championships. This event has been ongoing now for the last 15 years and has earned Wiganer’s the affable nickname ‘pie-eaters’.